Ricebirds roll past SS Batesville, 41-3

Monday

Sep 30, 2013 at 4:33 PM

As mentioned in this space last week, Stuttgart has utterly dominated the Southerners over the past eight seasons.

Cole Sherman csherman@stuttgartdailyleader.com

It was a different year, there were some different players and a few new coaches, but the results remained the same as Stuttgart rolled over Southside Batesville by a score of 41-3 Friday night at Stuart Field.

As mentioned in this space last week, Stuttgart has utterly dominated the Southerners over the past eight seasons. In that timeframe, the Ricebirds have outscored Southside by a total of 359-28. One would be hard pressed to find a more lopsided matchup during that span.

Taking those numbers into consideration, it might have been easy for Stuttgart to roll into Southside and sleepwalk through the game confident of victory. The Birds, however, played like a team well prepared and eager to get their conference season off to a strong start.

Southside won the coin toss and chose to receive the opening kickoff from Stuttgart place kicker Jackson Kennedy. After gaining one first down on the drive, Stuttgart’s defense, aided by a crushing hit from Bird linebacker Jacob Clawson, forced Southside to punt. Stuttgart would return the favor three plays later with a punt of their own, of seven yards, which set up Southside at Stuttgart’s 24-yard line. Obviously not the start Stuttgart hoped for as Southside was threatening just six minutes into the game. Any indication to Southside’s impressive crowd of a home victory vanished in one play however. That’s when Bird junior defensive back Kendall Hill intercepted Drew Moss’ pass in the end zone. From that point until the end of the game Southside never again posed a serious threat. The ensuing drive would see Stuttgart march 80 yards in eight plays ending in a six-yard rushing touchdown for Tyler Luster.

Southside’s next possession would end, once again, in the hands of a Bird defender; this time it would be Jorden Dorsett intercepting Moss. Stuttgart set up shop at the Southside 27-yard line. Two plays later Carter Ward would give Stuttgart a 12-0 lead with a one-yard touchdown run, which is how the first quarter of play ended.

Stuttgart’s defense has shown significant improvement from the first game of the season through Friday night. Southside, even when operating with excellent starting field position, could not move the ball consistently on Coach Justin Wylie’s defenders. As this unit continues to improve, so will Stuttgart’s chances of making a run in the playoffs. Stuttgart’s offense, which has been consistent most of the season, would carry the football across the goal line two more times in the first half, both Tyler Luster touchdowns, for a 28-0 halftime advantage.

Both scores would be things of beauty.

With 6:02 remaining in the half Stuttgart found itself with the ball on its own two yard line.

Play one of the drive was a one yard loss, play two was a three yard gain. Facing third down and eight Ward, who had been inserted into the game at quarterback, found classmate Jerrell Hobbs on Stuttgart’s sideline for an 11 yard gain and a first down. Hobbs, who would see increased playing time as the game wore on, made a wonderful catch to keep the drive alive.

Nine plays later Luster’s second touchdown of the game would cap the 98-yard drive. Also during this possession Stuttgart used starting quarterback Malik Brasfield as a running back.

That move seemed to give the Bird offense a bit of explosion on the drive.

Stuttgart’s other scoring drive of the half would be consummated with two seconds remaining on the clock following another touchdown for Luster. Ward’s pass on the two point conversion try was perfect and the half ended. It should also be noted on the final drive that Bird wide receiver Dorsett made what looked to be a spectacular highlight reel catch at the Southerner 25 yard line. Unfortunately, and to the immense displeasure of the Ricebird players, coaches and fans, the pass was ruled incomplete. Video of the catch can be seen via Stuttgart football’s Twitter account and on Youtube.

Those who were late coming back at the start of the second half would miss the co-play of the night. Stuttgart would open the half with the ball at its own 40 yard line. One play and 60 yards later Stuttgart led 34-0. Kennedy took a handoff moving toward the Stuttgart sideline. He seemed to be hemmed in at mid-field but somehow escaped heavy pursuit from Southside.

There was not a Southerner on the field able to catch him as Kennedy blazed 60 yards for the score. Following the PAT Stuttgart led 35-0 triggering the mercy rule. The rest of the game would go rather quickly as a result of the running clock.

Stuttgart would add another score as following a Ward pass to, once again, Kennedy to make the margin 41-0. Southside broke up the shutout with 3:02 to play in the game by kicking a field goal, making the final tally 41-3 in favor of Stuttgart.

There were several notable performances turned in by Stuttgart players on this night. Tru Hobbs seemed to be involved in plays on both sides of the line for the duration of the game.

Nathan Parker also drew notice for his play on the offensive line. In the defensive secondary Hobbs seemed to give Stuttgart’s defense a spark in the second half. In all it was a great night of football for all of the Ricebird athletes. Stuttgart beat a team that it should beat, and in a very convincing fashion. The Birds played a complete game and controlled every aspect from start to finish.

A few new faces emerged that will be needed throughout the rugged 2-4A conference. Most importantly however, on a night where four conference foes started the season 0-1 in conference, the Ricebirds handled business and took a very important first step toward yet another appearance in the playoffs.

Arguably one of the biggest games of the year looms this Friday night as Stuttgart plays host to the Heber Springs Panthers. The Panthers fell hard at home to Lonoke by a score of 63-34 Friday night. Heber Springs, while sitting at 0-4 on the season, is still a very dangerous opponent that Stuttgart must beat in order to finish the season where they hope to.

Currently, the Ricebirds sit tied atop the 2-4A with Dollarway, Lonoke and Clinton as all were winners in week one of conference play. It should be a great atmosphere Friday night for the home conference opener. Kickoff is set for 7 p.m.